In 1912, Yuan Shikai would become the interim President of the new Republic of China. However, despite the hope heaped on him, his 3 year term would be marked by assassination, authoritarian power consolidation, and his founding of a new imperial dynasty. Despite some accomplishments, this disastrous term would poison the well of Chinese representative government, destroying any real chance of actual power sharing or rule of law for decades. In this episode we discuss the how and the why. Was Yu...
Apr 18, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 22
In 1912, Yuan Shikai seemed sure to go down in history as China's beloved George Washington. Admired and respected by both reformers and conservatives, he became China's first true president by both unanimous election, and Imperial decree. Within a few short years though, he would become China's greatest villain. Join us for a two part episode where we discuss the rise and fall of the man who transitioned China from an Empire to a Republic, and attempted to keep it together in the process. In th...
Apr 11, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 21
Sun Yat-Sen is regarded today by both the PRC (People's Republic of China) and the ROC (Republic of China) as the founder of the modern nation. He was the first to break the imperial system, and set a path for something new and revolutionary. However, before he was the founder of the nation, he was simply a failed revolutionary, with a head full of ideas. Perhaps one of his most famous stories from these early days is when he was 'Kidnapped' by agents of the Qing empire while in London. Join us ...
Mar 28, 2021•48 min•Ep. 20
From the very beginning, the Chinese Communist party took entertainment seriously. By drawing crowds to see plays, dances, songs, and other shows, they were able to spread their political messages and create new followers to the cause. Perhaps the culmination of this, Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy (智取威虎山) was one of the 8 Model Plays promoted by Mao's Wife Jiang Qing (江青), as an attempt to modernize Beijing Opera for a Revolutionary Audience. Telling the story of a PLA detachment fighting a ...
Mar 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 19
1870s Los Angeles was a lawless town where violence ruled and life was cheap. Gunfights were an almost daily occurrence, and rival gangs dueled in the street. Despite that, the country was still shocked by the dramatic mass lynching of Chinese immigrants which occurred there in 1871. Often described as the largest mass lynching in the US, it has in many ways faded from our public consciousness. In this companion episode to the Pigtail Ordinance , we discuss the face of anti-asian racism outside ...
Mar 07, 2021•41 min•Ep. 18
In what is likely to be their most controversial episode, Natalie and Cherrie discuss how the terms Facist, and 'Chinazi' have become particularly common in heated online arguments about China. However, despite the flaws of the Chinese government, is it really correct to call it Fascist? What exactly is Fascism, and how has it been defined over the years, and by whom? In this episode we discuss 4 different definitions of Fascism (Including the CCCP definition) to see if the modern Chinese state ...
Feb 14, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 17
Ever since the introduction of 'Western' medicine to China in the late Imperial period, the role of Doctor in China has been a perilous one. Often blamed for circumstances outside their control, and viewed as agents of corruption, greed, and incompetence, they are an easy target for anger, violence, and murder. While it is somewhat a world-wide problem, in this episode we discuss the uniquely Chinese ways violence affects the medical system, from its history in Mao's China, to the current day. T...
Feb 07, 2021•51 min•Ep. 16
This week, we've brought you 4 more famous rebellions. 3 of which are from more distant memories: Daizexiang Rebellion, White Lotus Rebellion and Yellow Turban Rebellion. And 1 from modern Chinese history - Mao's grass-roots, mass-mobilizing revolution. Join us to discover how the self-fulling prophecy of the mandate of the heaven plays a part in these rebellions and how the clique of "History has a tendency to repeat itself" does check out sometimes. See Episode 12 for [Top Peasant Rebellions -...
Jan 25, 2021•52 min•Ep. 15
55 Days at Peking is a 1963 Hollywood movie which dramatizes the events of the 1900 Boxer Rebellion/Uprising, and the siege of the foreign legations in Peking. One of the few western movies to depict late Imperial China, it spent lavishly on elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and huge battles. While it was a commercial and critical failure, and has its problems, such as white actors playing as Chinese royalty, and a bloated and boring script, it is still worth examining. In this Episode we dis...
Jan 11, 2021•59 min•Ep. 14
In China, an Imperial Dynasty can rule only as long as the Mandate of Heaven allows. Such a mandate has never been permanent however, and weak rulers face famine, plagues, war, and banditry. Almost without fail in such times, disaffected Chinese peasants mass in giant rebellious armies, fighting and dying in attempt to overthrow the old regime and install a new dynasty. If they succeed, they have inherited the Mandate of Heaven, and all the riches and honors that entails. If they fail, they will...
Jan 03, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 13
In this episode Natalie and Cherrie discuss how Christmas stole Confucius's holiday, where the world's holiday decorations are made, and Mao's Korean war holiday party. Learn about the history of Christmas in China, and how it has taken on its own set of Chinese Characteristics.
Dec 13, 2020•56 min•Ep. 12
Natalie and Cherrie discuss the highest grossing movie ever in China's box office - Wolf Warrior 2 , a patriotic action blockbuster. Started as a passion project by director, co-writer, co-producer and Wolf Warrior himself -Wu Jing, the movie's success came as a surprise to him and everyone else. It came at the right time. China's nationalist propaganda is becoming more and more aggressive. Through this movie, we see China's image to its own people, and China through the world's eyes. Aside from...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 11
Chinese families (and asian families in general) have a reputation for being close, and for listening to parents and grandparents well into adulthood. In China itself however, respect for your ancestors isn't just culture, it's the law! Natalie and Cherrie discuss the origin of these filial piety laws, their impact on society, and their net effects. Like most things we talk about, it ends up being Confucius and Mao's fault.
Nov 22, 2020•51 min•Ep. 10
The US Presidential Elections are always a spectacle, but this year interest from China was at an all time high. Despite censorship, it has been the most popular topic on the web for weeks, dominating discussion there are much as it does in the US itself. Join us as we discuss the Chinese Internet's reactions and hot takes, from State Media using it for Propaganda, to Chinese Netizen's championing worker rights.
Nov 15, 2020•49 min•Ep. 9
In 1949 as a result of the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai Shek (蔣介石) and his Nationalist government had retreated to the Island of Taiwan, and Mao Tse Tung and his Chinese Communist Party funded the new People's Republic of China. Normally the story ends there, however in reality, Chiang Kai Shek and his Nationalists never considered the civil war to be over. Using one of the largest navies in Asia, US technology, and bitter determination, they almost brought the new nation of China to its knees,...
Nov 01, 2020•59 min•Ep. 8
In this episode we discuss the history and cultural significance of what is now known as 'The Great Wall of China'. When it was started, what it was for, and what role did it actually take in the defense of China. More than that, though, we discuss the concept of the Great Wall, which ended up being more powerful and long lasting than any actual part of the structure. How it defined China both at home and abroad, and how through its age, it became not just a symbol of any particular dynasty, but...
Oct 25, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 7
Natalie and Cherrie discuss the wildly entertaining 1975 CCP Propaganda Film Breaking with Old Ideas. Made at the end of China's Cultural Revolution, the film is a naked justification of both the goals and methods of Maoist education. Come see what the hard line Maoists claimed they wanted in their own words. The movie can be found online here: https://archive.org/details/Breaking_With_Old_Ideas So please follow along and learn why universities are bad, private industry is worse, and how your mo...
Oct 18, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 6
Just 100 years ago in China, concubinage was not an uncommon sight and did not raise many eyebrows. Fast forward to today, from the ending of the last Imperial Dynasty in Chinese history, to the Republic of China, to the People’s Republic of China, Chinese society was turned upside down and with it, the tradition, culture and practice of the institution of Marriages. In this episode, we explore changes in Chinese Marriages in the last 100 years and how Chinese women’s standing in society transfo...
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 5
The 1800s were a time of great humiliation and loss for the Chinese people, usually remembered now as the 'Century of Shame'. However among that, resistance to colonial pressure came from the most unlikely of sources. In this episode, Natalie discusses the life of Liu Yongfu and his Black Flag army. Their origin from rebels and bandits, and their evolution into a guerrilla army that resisted two imperial powers.
Oct 04, 2020•58 min•Ep. 4
Nearly sixty years ago, China declared an all out war on the bird of capitalism: sparrows. In this episode, we discuss the goals, the reality, the hysteria, the environmental impact of the legendary Four Pests Campaign. What started off as a health campaign to combat allegations of American biological warfare quickly evolved into one of the first of Mao's great social mass mobilizations - and the near extinction of sparrows in China. We also discuss the legacy and the historical memory of this e...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 3
Today, September 20th 2020, the US Goverment is set to ban certain aspects of both TikTok and WeChat. While TikTok obviously is more popular in the US, the banning of WeChat has a much greater impact on the lives of Chinese People both here in the US, and back in China. ((EDIT: A Federal Judge has since blocked the ban, so the future legal status of WeChat in the US remains uncertain)) Almost unknown outside of Asia, WeChat is a juggernaut of an app touching all aspects of Chinese life. Incredib...
Sep 20, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 2
Until the dawn of the 20th century, Western images of Han Chinese men invariable included the Queue (辮子). The partially shaved head and long braid show up in books, drawings, and early photos. However most Americans (Even some immersed in asian culture) have no idea why the hairstyle was worn, and why it was abandoned. Join us for a hairstyle with Chinese Characteristics, as we discuss the history of the Queue, both in the United States and China. New episode every other Sunday....
Sep 13, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 1
